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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THE BXECUTTYE OF THE NATIONAL CARTER ASOCIATION TO TLE GENERAL COUNCIL AXV MEMBERS . Brethkes , —Having assembled in London to transact the general business of our Association , it becomes our pleasing duty , at tke dose of tbe present sitting , to adtireM job , and convey throneb . this medium , such information , instruction , and advice , as appear necessary to guide you aright in your movements . The business of the Executive , on this occasion , has been unusually extensive , from the enlargement at our * Association , the increase of correspondence , the general activity that prevail * , and tfae- tZpoTianee of the future proceedings which ^ ^ Te designed
COBMSPOJtD * f , C £ OP THE EXECUTIVE . _ la tl »» ^^ place ire irill advert te Bach portions of toe correspondence laid before as , as are of importance , and require general notice . Many letters have been received from Northampton and Leicester , seeking a sew arrangement for the representation of those plaoes in the Convention . And in Lancashire , and one or two other places , arrangemeBts not in accordance with those already laid down have been seugbt . Bat , in smreyinga map of the kingdom , we de sot think a more equal representation oonld be devised than + >»« + set forth , in the Address issued at o « r laftai&Bg .
We beg , therefore , urgently to Impress on our brethren la the various localities the great necessity of observing one systematic plan . If e&ch part of the kingdom ia to act in the mams best suiting its peculiar interests or circumstances j . after a national adjustment of representation , tho j are to be numerowi departures from it ; if , in sections , the people are to aet upon seTeral various methods , then are the objects of a national organisation defeated , and the " operations of an ExeeutiTe rendered of non-effect . We urge , then , that the asale of representation already prepared may , in all cases , too , be abided by In each electoral district the Totes of the people must be taken in reference to the election of representatives , fcc , and the will of the majority most be obeyed . This la in strict accordance with the principles of Chartism , and , we baTe no doubt , oa reflection , will be readily acquiesced in .
Letters from Carlisle , and other places , hire directed odj attention to the necessity of levying the expenees of the Convention on a scale more equitable-than that already proposed , and of maklBg taxation and representation co-exten * 3 ve . We at once see the propriety and justice of this ; and , after estimating as nearly as possible the probable expenses of the entire Convention , we have decided that each district sending one representative shall contribute to the Convention Fund £ lS ; two representatives , £ 36 ; * && three , £ 54 . Out ol this fond the travelling expenees of each member , to and from London , will be defrayed .
A letter from Leamington conveys to us the following question ; " Do you , as an Executive , sanction the interruption of Corn Law meetings ? " In reply , we beg fearlessly to state that we are advocates for free inquiry , and it is oar belief that on all occasion * when the people are tilled on for their opinions oh any question affecting the public weal , they ihonid boldly speak out their sentiment * , -whatever they may be . If a meeting Is eenvened "to consider the propriety of repealing the Corn Laws , " would it not be slavish and discreditable to the persons attending it , if they consented to sanction any resolution its originators were pleased to submit , whether it corresponded -with the opinions of the meeting or not ? Most assuredly . We in not friends of tumultuous proceedings , for these can sever aid the purposes of truth and justice ; but we have evidence
before ui of innumerable instances when the people have been called together to " consider * ' the repeal of the Corn i * ws , and , wben met , have been denied any voiee in the matter by the persons wbo nave takes upon themselves the management ef sueh meetings . We cannot , therefore , restrain oar Chartist brethren from expressing their i&dignatien at such tyrannical conduct' We rejoice that the time has arrived when the people dare think and speak out their opinions ; and it may be relied on that we , in onr representatire capacity , are ntt about to use our inflaenee to arrest this freedom of mind merely because it does not suit the imaginary interest of any peculiar faction . Let calm discosnoa be permitted , the sense of the people fairly be taken and duly regarded , and truth and justice mist ultimately prevail
From the Bristol General Council we have received A TnTnTTmnffftH "" torching the issue of the cards of oar association . Th « following is its substance : — " The present method of granting cards is bad , and fraught with deceit For inntaiMw , * person calls at the Association rooms , gets a card by merely paying far it ; he soon picks a quarrel with some one , and then comes the eviL He start *—what—a new Council ? Xo : bat he not an £ reqaent ! y takes everything upon his ipsi diriL He sends for cards , and stsrti not a set mf Chartists , but of enemies , ever ready to find fault Now the remedy we propose is , that an application to the General Secretary for cards , for any person , mmt have thesignatare of the sub-President a »« sub-Secretary resident in the locality . " We hava seriously considered the matter , and are of opinion , that to place any
restrictions on the issue of cards , other than those laid down is the plan of organization , would be attended with great difficulty and danger . Sub-Presidents and Secretirlos may nave their " ipsi disif—the -wrong may , in a variety of instances , be on either side . The constitution of our Association says : — " Any person shall be admitted a member of this Association on tafr ^ g a card of membership , to be renewed half-yearly ; for which he shall pay twopence ; and afterwards one penny per week subscription . " We are not yet convinced by our Bristol brethren of the necessity for altering the fT 7 T" ^ rp « r * 'i ' . 1 principle . We have net , therefore , the will ; nor do we believe we have the power , to place any other restrictions on the issue ef cards than those siready embodied in the 5 th clause of the plan on which we are organised .
From Trowbridge nuawoui letters have been received respeetiBg a schism in the Chartist body in that town . One portion of the members have taken a fresh place of meeting , and made the following declaration requisite to admission : — " I , , believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament ; and do hereby pledge my word to use all lawful and jost means in my power to cause the People ' s Charter to be the law of the land . " ThiB it utterly irrelevant to the I « w 3 ing principles and object of out Association , and , if persevered in , would produce innumerable divisions and endless disagreements . It is oar doty to guard against that which would lead to such evil consequences . We have , therefore , written to the persons who have been the actors in this matter , and requested a withdrawal ef the above declaration .
Numerous applications h&Te been made for the missionary services of the members of the Executive . These have been too numerous for all t 3 receive immediate attention , Mr . Leach , Dr . M'Douall , and Mr , Can > pbeH , hive been lecturing and holding meetings without intermission in various parts of the kingdom ; and Mr . Phllp , At interrals , bad made various circuits . Th «» proceedings luxe -worked almost incalculable good ; but it must be remembered the Executive numbers only five individuals , and it is impossible for so few persons to accomplish a mission throughout the entire kingdom without a considerable lapse of time-The members of the Executive will , however , continue industriously to pursue this portion of their duty , and will so apply the means placed in their hands , that saUsfastion may be felt by every member of the Assoeoataoa .
The Chart'sts of many places where our numbers are not yet large , have applied to the Executive for' the aid of lecturers . Unfortunately the funds of the Association have kittsrto been toe limited to render the assistance sought . We hope this fact ¦ will weigh ke&Tily -with the General Council and members , and convince them of the necessity ol supplying the r « - quisite means of agitation . The letters from various localities seeking information , advice , ic fcr varied subjects , have been abundant . Ererj promptitnde has been observed by oar Secretary , who immediately answers privately all communications not of a public nature , or : equiriBg general notice . x ? HE XATIOXXL PETITION .
> ot a moment should be lost ' . The petition-sheets must be immediately issued , and signatures sought for in the remotest as well as the most important parts of Great Britain . The General Council must immediately nil meprrng » of the Chartists in every part , and at these meetings volunteers should be sought to Uie petition-sheets and procure names . The sheets should be numbered , and the name of each person taking one should be entered on a list , that when the petition is called in it may be readily aseeitsined whether the sheets are all returned or not This plan most be at once
resorted to , and with earnest spirit . Copies of the printed petition should bs taken from door to door , and left for perusal until called for . At the csmmeDCement ef every meeting the petition should be read , and sheets lain at the deora for signatures . The Chartist missionaries and speakers should urgently recommend their hearers to sign . Tables should be placed in the public streets , aad , where practicable , a few bills should be printed to this efiect : — " The National Petition for the People's Charter lies here for signature . " The signatures cf males and females to be alike acceptable .
We call on every individual for his or her aid . There nut be no delay , but energy and nal must now mark oar conduct ; We invite our Scotch brethren , particularly , to be on the alert , to procure signatures for this petition . ( See the address to the People of Scotland . ) The sheets should be all uniform , on demy paper , ruled in four columns , six inches in width . The heading of the petition has appeared in the several Ch&nirt papers , and is now printed in a cheap form , 25 s . per iboBsand , and may , together trith petitionsheets , be procured of any of the London or country ; agents . j We pray , therefore , let not a moment be lost Let j the present petition tit ont-number any hitherto pre- ( sentad . - . ! THB SATIO > UL CO . NTIXriO-1 . I ?~ j Alrstdy -JOanS . nominations haTe taken place , and ; we are glad to' find some of the most Uleated and j p » tris > : ie of our Pirry placed as candidates for the Can-.
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ventioa . But there are many yet to come in , and we nr ^ ently r < quest the further nominations to be sent without delay to the General Secretary , "Mr . J . Campbell , 18 , Adderly-street , ShaWs Brow , Salford , nesr ' Manchester . " We hope to find Scotland and Wales equally participstixtg in the representation afforded by this body . Meetings should immediately take place , and the candidates at once be muted . These should also be sent to the General Secretary , and published in the same list with the F-ngli » h candidates . No time must be lost in relation to this important matter . Twentyfour representatives for Jg ^ gUod will be forthcoming ; and we have « e ionbt the people ' s choice will rail on ttu »? ^ st qualified to fulfil the important dnties of the Convention , and most likely to ensure the esteem of the comMunity .
We have already set forth the scale of contributions to the Convention fund , from those who send representatives . It will not , as it is important , be improper to repeat it Each district sending one representative shall contribute £ 18 , two representatives £ 36 , aad three £ 54 . It mmt be bone in mind that omt of this fund the travelling expenees of the members to and from London wOl be defrayed . It will immediately be perceived that this regulation is at once just and equitable , and will bring the amount of money required within the means of each district . The electoral districts all being extensive , a few pounds fram each town will produce the required sum . For initaBce , ifl Gloucester , Somerset , aad Wilts , there are as many towns where the Association extends aa will produce the required sum at an average of £ 2 each . Of coarse , the towns will contribute in proportion to their size and inflaenee , and then the amount may be easily raised .
Out of the above fund , as already stated , the coach fare of each member will be paid . This will render the burden less heavy on those districts situated fu away from the Metropolis , and the travelling expenses to and from which will be exceedingly heavy . The above fund will also liquidate all the expenses of the Convention for rental of a bugs and central room , printing , advertising , paper , pens , Ink , postage , jcc . 40 . There must be so deficiency in the contributions of the aever&l district * . A petition of four millions ( unprecedented in the history of our country ) should be backed up by the determined voiee of the people , which shall have utterance through representation . The collection of moneys should be immediately proceeded with ; and the General Council in every locality must at once pat on extreme activity .
We are aware ef the dearth of money , particularly with the working classes : all this has received our most serious consideration- But can our cause be won without a sacrifice ? Could funds be mvn profitably applied than to the purposes already set forth t Ik > not , then , brethren , be discouraged : one hundred thousand persons , at one penny each , will produce more than the required sum ; and can it be doubted that omt of three or four millions of persons who will petition for justice and liberty , one hundred thousand m&j readily be found to subscribe tot its realization J Who will haaard the assertion that we have not soul enough amongst us to bear the Petition Convention through triumphantly f Let us all subscribe according to our me&na . One may give a shilling , another sixpence , another a penny , another a farthing . But let us not rest satisfied with ourselves until we have all contributed according to our means .
It was at first contemplated that the Convention should meet in London on the 4 tb of February ; but on second consideration , its assembly has bees post poned until the first Monday in March . This is to afford the people an opportunity of ascertaining the " policy" of Sir R . Peel , that , whilst the Convention is yst sitting , it may have the power of undeceiving the public mind , exposing the Irands that will be attempted by the Tory premier , and showing that the Charter is the only hope for an oppressed people . We believe this will be maiversaUy approved . The postponement has bees thus early suggested , that the sittings of the Convention may not , under any circumstances , be prolonged more than one mo . ith , which will be sufficient to do all that is required .
We recommend , for more effectually ensuring Buficient funds , that tea-patties , paid lectures , dec . be at once instituted . These will at once be imparting knowledge , and creating a bond of brotherly onion ; while , witoout embarrassment to any , they will produce good toalL In departing from this branch of our address , we particularly urge our brethren immediately to send in the farther nominations , that the day for a general ballot throughout the Association may be resolved oa . ( See the Address received from Birmingham . )
THE XXEC 1 T 1 VK JOURNAL . After mature deliberation , the discontinuance of our Jountol has been resolved upon . Its publication was at first resorted to for the purpose of circulating the National Organisation , giving greater publicity and further information of the proposed Convention and National Petition , and of arousing the General Council and others into activivty , for the purposes of carrying out successfully the plan of agitation laid down by the Exeeatlre . These objects ha-re been folly accomplished .
It would be impossible for the Executive to conduct a weekly journal with regularity and edat to themselves . Their engagements are so numerous , and inconveniences of travelling through the various parts of the country so great , tkat it would be impossible for them to superintend the publication of a weekly paper . The delay of tke numbers of the Journal hitherto issued , arose solely out of the cause already alluded to . When circomsiances shall again require it , the Execntlve will resort to such means to give publicity to any projected plan of operation as may seem me&t fit
The Northern SUir , Haiional Vindicator , aad English Chartist Circular , are the official organs of the Association .
JCEXT SIITI . VG OP THB EXECUTIVE . The next sitting of the Sxecutive will take place in Bristol , on the first Monday in February , when all final arragements for this great aad important movement will be made . Before that date , without fall , all the nominations Bust be sent in ; and the various Electoral Districts must report to the General Secretary what amount of funds has been raised for the support of the Convention . Letters of advice will be thankfully received , and undergo serious consideration on the moetiBg of the Executive at Bristol While in the West the members of the Executive will traverse , as much as possible , that part of the kingdom ; and also visit several parts of Wales for the purpose of inspiring energy and zeal into the hearts of the people . The j xecutive will ever perform its duty , and may every member of the Association be inspired by good example .
GE 5 EBAL AEGUHKST . Bbethrek , —We earnestly invite yon to pursue the plan of agitation bud down , with the real becoming men determined to be free . Let our feelings , our actions , our determinations , henceforth be OK E . Bury , for ever , any petty feeling ef disunion that may have crept in amongst yen , that you may present the formidable array of a united People , determined to struggle against your many corrupt foes . Reflect on the urgency of a powerful Chartist movement at the present time , now that the factions have changed places , and the reins of usurped authority are handed to Toryism , itie deadliest enemy of our race ; now that plots and counterplots are rife ; now that the war of faction is becoming strong ; in the name of Libert y , let US be the foremost in the ranks of the Patriots , by whom our native laud shall be freed from the fetters of Despotism . Arouse , to dispel the gloom of mental
ignorance tbat so long has rendered man a passive menial , the slave of tyrants , and the dupe of knaves . Spread the ligbt of those political truths , for the triumph of which we have girded on the armour of moral resolution . Remember , onr Cause is THE RIGHTS OF MjlN—rights defrauded , abased , insulted , aud betrapped . Do we see our kinsmen starving ?—the Charter is to give them food . Do we behold them ragged ?—Justice demands they shall be clothed . Do we mark their misery ?—Nature declares happiness and prosperity man ' s birthright . Ovn vvrsvit js no phantom—it IS NOT A BVBBLE THAT BUBSTS AVD JS SEEN NO * 0 BS—IT IS KOT A CUKKISG EVIL DEVICE ; it is Justice and Liberty fok an oppressed People , now gkoaning undbr the iron toss op despotic mosaficht and aeistocract , and the heartless cruelties of class Legislation .
We hare proposed none bnt peaceful means : for , thongh goaded to desperation , though we behold oar brothers and sisters , even in the midst of plenty and profusion , dying , as in the reign of famine , from want of the merest necessaries of life , we forbear . We would work a revolution of mind and of principle— a revolution peacefully effected , and the institutions founded by which , chall be peacefully maintained . We repudiate the assertion that -me are " anarchists . " We live in days of anarchy—there exists a war of classes , of caste , of interest—and strife must prevail until the broad equality of man is recognised , sod the laws by which mankind is governed be framed with a due regard to this great principle . We are not , therefore , promoters of disorder and discord , we seek to establish that bond of eteraal right that shall link all men together , as beings of one creation .
These glorious designs cannot be accomplished , unless we are determined and persevering . Our petitions aad Conventions must follow in rapid succession ; and the increase of our nmmbars must repeatedly be made manifest . If we cannot display , ( In a manner to strike apprehension in oar greatest foe ) increasing strength of numbers and determination , our appeals of jostios will be assailed with ridicule and moekeryrThe Petition aad Convention for 1812 , are designed to be sueh as shall cause a deep tremor to come over the scorner , and strike the oppressor with aws . It rests with you ; you who are sensible of your wrongs , asd know and appreciate the rights withheld from yon , whether or not this movement shall do honour to the British People , and raise a hope for happiness speedily U be realised . We l ** k forward fco your proceedings with confidence .
K . K . Philp . Mobgak Williavs . JOH » CAMrBELL . Jamxb Leach . P . M . M'Dopall .
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STRIKE OF THE MASONS . At a meeting of Delegates from the different trades of the metropolis , held at the Craven ' s Head , Drurylane , November 24 th , for the purpose of assisting the MasoM In their strike at the New Houses of Parliament , Woolwi « h Dockyard , and Nelson ' s Monument , Mr . Butlkr , carpenter , in the chair . After hearing read the letter of Thomas Hlckey te the Ed tor of the Northern Star , stating his accidental
the new Houses of Parliament , and his treatment and subsequent discharge by George Allen , the foreman « f Grissell and Peto ; and the replies by K . J . Wardle , G . Allen , and John Baker thereto , and also the statement of Patrick Wheelan , it wasunanimomsly resolved , "That two of this meeting , nob masons , be appointed to investigate the correctness or incorrectness of the statement made by Thomas Hickey on the one side , and Messrs . Wardle , Allen , and Baker oa tke other ; aad tha $ T . J . Xhauiug , bookbinder , and J . Baker , plasterer , be appointed to * that purpose . "
The undersigned being thus appointed , lost bo time is making the necessary inquiries . The allegations of Messrs . Wardle , Allen , and Baker , contradicting the statement of T . Hickey , they place ia order , numbering each . B . J . Wardle states : — 1 . " That Thomas Hkkey met with his accident on the 25 th ef February , instead of the 13 th , as alleged by him . 2 " That he did not complain to him ( R . J . Wardle ) of Allen ' s conduct & " That be returned to his work , March 29 th , after an absence of five weeks , and not on the 14 th , as he stated . « . " That in no Instance have the foreman on the works made use of the language stated by T . Hickey , in bis presence , upon men being discharged . " tteerge Allen states : —
6 . "That the cirenmstanoes and language imputed to him by T . Hickey , as to the cause of bis dismissal as mason ' s labourer , from the sew Houses of Parliament , is absolutely false . 6 . " That he firmly declares he is not in the habit of discharging men without good aad sufficient reason . 7 . "He begs to append the statement of Patrick Wheelan , the Individual alluded to in bis previous statement , in confirmation of that statement . John Baker states : — & " That he is one of the foremen of masons at the new Houses of Parliament , and that he perfectly recollects Thomas Hickey returning to bis work , and the fact of bis working six weeks after his said return . 9 .. " That be ( John Baker ) considers George Allen perfectly justified in discharging the said Thomas Hickey . "
Tho above statements are gives in the form of affidavits , intending them to be sueh , but the Magistrate refused , on account of some legal objection , to sign them . Whether the objection of the Magistrate was mads before or after the parties had ta&en the « atb , the deponents , of course , have not informed the public . 1 . With respect to the date of the accident , the undersigned , after carefully inquiring at the Westminster Hospital , and elsewhere , have no doubt that it happened on the 25 th of February , and that , consequently , T . Hickey is mistaken in believing it to have happened on the 13 th . This , however , as all parties are agreed as to its haviug happened , and as to iU serious nature , is a matter of slight
importance . i . The statement of T . HIcfcey is as follows : — " I then went to the pay clerk , and told him of the usage I had received from Allen . " Here , also , appears to have been an error , for it was to the time-keeper , and not to the pay-clerk , to whom the complaint was made . This error , which relates only to the person to whom the complaint was made , and net the treatment complained of , Is thus explained . —Than are two persons to TrBom all employed on those works had to apply previous to twing paid—the time-keeper and the pay-clerk ; having first to go to the time-keeper for their " time , " as it is called , and then to the pay-clerk , who paid them for the time which had thus been previously given . It appears that T . Hickey wanted to be paid for two hours of the morning on which he was
discharged , which Allen refused to allow the time-keeper to give ; Hickey , therefore , could not go to the payclerk for thes « two hours , for he had not got" his time " for them , a circumstance which Allen most well have known , and consequently must have percaived the error , and remembered its cause immediately . The undersigned , therefore , in confirming the statement of Wardle that no complaint was made to him cannot acquit him of gross partiality in his omitting to correct the error , after be bad pointed it out , thus made by T . Hickey ; for the undersigned are eovinoed that both Wardle , Alien , and Baker , well knew to whom the complaint was made , and are convinced , therefore , that tha pointing out of this error without correcting it , was only for the purpose of leading the public to believe that the circumstances complained of had not takes place .
The undersigned give the following shortened account of the matter in Hickey ' s words to them . After the first ebullition of anger , when Allen said " he did not want any d— d Irish cripples there , " be ( Hickey ) stopped about ten minutes to see if he would forgive him ( relent ) , but he ( Allen ) came back , and told bim " if he did not go he would put bis boots in his backside ; " he then went to the time-keeper for his money , who told him it was " all nonsense , " and went to Allen , but returned to him ( from Alien ) and told him that it was " all up" with him . Allen went off ( away ) for about a quarter of an hour , during which time Hickey waited near the office to be paid , or to " get his timer tot the two hours in question . When Allen came back , be ( Hickey ) asked him bow long he was to wait for his money ? Allen told him if he did not go about bis bnsiness , he would give him in charge of a policeman . This took place on Thursday , May « th , 1841 .
3 . The 3 rd by Wardle , the pay-clerk , and the 8 th by Baker , the depmty foreman , are the same , each impugning Hickey's correctness as to the time be was in the employ of Grissell and Peto , after the accident ; they asserting the period to have been six weeks , while he five and a half days . The undersigned , when they ascertained from the Secretary ef the Westminster Hospital the date Hickey left that hospital , March 39 , inquired whether he had been afterwards an out-patient , and , if bo , tot how long t—for the undersigned did not know then he had left the hospital without leave ; the Secretary replied that he could not give that information , nor did he believe such Information could be readily obtained ; but , said he , " if the inquiry is made with reference to the statements in the papers" ( alluding
to WardU ' s , Allen ' s , and Baker ' s statements ) , " it is certain that , in the case of a broken leg , the bones could not knit together , so that the limb could be ' used , ia the short time , for such a process , from Feb . 25 to March 30 , less than six weeks that he was in the hospitaL" If this be correct , of which medical men can best decide , it mast have been physically impossible that Hickey could have returned to work on the 29 th of March , as stated by Wardle , the pay-clerk , and Baker , the deputy foreman , which , on oath , they " bo perfectly well remember . " The undersigned , upon questioning Hickey on this point , elicited from bim that a few days before be left the hospital be inquired whether he could not be allowed to leave , when tbe surgeon told
him that be would not allow him even to leave bis bed for a fortnight He , hawever , did leave , without the consent of the surgeon , on the 30 th , in a " cab , " but soon found that the " Doctor" was right , and , after a few days , applied for medicine at the hospital , when he was teld , that as he bad left contrary to orders , they could do no more for him . He further stated , that bo was able to do nothing for five weeks after be left the hospital . If this be correct , which , as it is against himself , there can be no reason to disbelieve , it is again impossible , and utterly so , if we allow competent medical knowledge to the surgeon ef the hospital , for Hickey to resume his employment on the 29 th of March .
The undersigned do not notice the error of making Hickey to be at work on the 29 th , when he did not leave the hospital until the 30 th , f « r that might be entirely verbal . In pursuing this part of the inquiry they felt the injustice of calling upon Hickey to prove a negative . All inquiries they have made , both of those in tbe house where he lodged , and of all besides , have confirmed their belief that his statement is correct The landlady of the house -where Hiekey resided when he left the hospital is positive as to his not being at work for four weekB out of the five . She has no doubt as to the whole , bat can swear to four weeks' inability to perform work . The undersigned inquired of Messrs
Baker and Wardle how they knew Hickey was in the employment of their masters from the 29 th of March to the 6 th of May 1 Is it by consulting thvir books tot that period , or is it only from the assumption that he must kave been employed by Crrissell and Peto immediately after he left the hospital , of which period the undersigned know due Inquiries were made by that firm at the hospitil ? If it be from cen * ulting theii books , the undersigned publicly challenge them to produce those books . Nothing can , be more easy than their production ; and if Hickey were really on the works for the period they were ready to swear to , nothing is more certain than that bis name must be found on the books for the whole of that time .
If , however , it be only from tbe mere assumption , the undersigned beg to suggest to them that an oath is no trifling matter , and to recommeod , for tbeir own sakes , that the naxt time they tender an oath , or take an oath ' to take care that they really do " perfectly well recollect" the circumstances to which they aas about to swear . 4 , R . J . Wardle denies that the foreman om the works have in any instance made nee of the language stated by T . Hickey in his presence upon men Doing discharged . Does Wardle really intend this to implicate the statement of Mr . T . Hickey t if so , he ought to have specially named not the " foremen on the works , " but George Allen . Hiekey has brought no charges against the " foremen on the works . ** but only against George Allen . It has already been admitted that no complaint was made to him , the pay-clerk , and that , therefore , the language deatribed might not have heen used in his presence . But does he mean to say because it was not used in his presestoe that it Was not
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used at all ? The undersigned beg to inform bim that if it really be true that Alien never made use of the language described "in bis presence , " that they have seen very many persons lately employed on the w » rk » , before whom , and to whom , the same individual mo&t freely indulged in it 5 . The undersigned come now to the extraordinary declaration made or tendered upon oath by George Allen , denying the circumstance and the language alleged to have been used in the dismissal of T . Hkkey . The undersigned read over the statement of T . Hiekey in his presence , and closely questioned bim as to tbe circumstances stated , and the language used , when he reiterated every particular . Before doing so , the undersigned requested him to relate what really did take place on the oocarioD , when they found the same things related by him with minute particulars of detail , which it would have been impossible for him to suggest , if his statement bad not been true . In opposition to Allen ' s
denial , therefore , they confidently place T . Hickey ' l reiteration . It ia Impossible not to be ( track with tilt manner in which this charge from the first has been met by Allen . First , be evaded all knowledge of it , affecting to believe It to refer to the case of Patrick Wheelan , while it is impossible that h « could for a moment have imagined it to relate to him . Nor is it possible he could have forgotten it ; his two friends , Wardle and Baker , who so " perfectly well recollect" all about it , render this supposition also impassible . If , then , be could not have forgotten it , and could not for a moment have supposed the masons alluded to Patrick Wheelanfor this supposition is unutterably absurd—what could have prompted this evasion—an evasion now , since the publication of Wbeelan ' s statement , bo gross and palpable ? -he undersigned are compelled to reply—a guilty knowledge of the whole transaction , and a wish to prevent all knowledge of it going to the public The following are the testimonies of those who saw and heard the whole transaction : —
" I remember Thomas Hickey being discharged . I was close to Allen and him at the time he was discharged ; and I heard Allen make use of language similar to that which is mentioned in Wckey ' s Utter . I saw T . Hickey the next day after he was discharged , and he told me he bad got employment in the firm of Mr . Cubitt . " Thomas Reid , Mason . " 24 , Tufton-street , Westminster . " "I remember Thomas Hiekey being discharged . I was close to the place where Alien discharged him : was aware that Hickey bad bad his leg broken . I heard Allen swearing at Hickey , and make use of language similar to that which is stated in Hickey ' l letter . The latt words I heard was Allen ' s telling him to be eff the works altogether . " Thomas Chaknock , Mason . ' New Cross , Kent . "
But what circumstances does this man deny ? Does he deny the accident ? No ; than of course he cannot deny the subsequent weakness and inability of Hickey . He is now compelled to admit that be discharged him . What did he discharge him for T It all alleged were false , what could be more easy than to state the reasonable and proper grounds of his discharge , and what more imperative for bis own vindication ? Was he discharged for not doing work enough ? If so , then be must have been discharged for bis weakness in consequence of the accident , for he was not , nor is he now , able to do a full day ' s work . Was lie discharged for
being insolent ? Allen has not pretended that he was insolent Was he dishonest ? Certainly not ; for they who could so readily notice tbe discrepancies explained above , would eagerly have made known every particular . If , then , he were neither insolent nor dishonest , he could only have been discharged for not doing work enough . A valid reason certainly , if the man bad been lazy , but ft most cruel procedure when the man was weak through injuries received in the service of bis employers . Was this the " geod and sufficient cause , " which he " firmly" swears to , for the discharge « f Thomas Hickey ?
6 . AUen also states on oath that he is not in the habit of discharging men without good and sufficient causa . This is no reply to the statement of Hickey . Hickey does not accuse Allen of being in tbe habit of discharging men without cause ; he makes a specific charge of his being discharged himself without cause , and with circumstances of peculiar cruelty ; and it can be no reply to this charge for Allen to say , that be is not in the habit of discharging men without cause . If all the ciroumstancss and ( he language imputed be false , thla statement is sapeiflaeu ; if tree , it is no reply to the =-The masons certainly accused Allen of being in the habit of dlscbaging men without sufficient reason , and offered t » prove their charge before any fair arbitration , on which occasion Grissell and Peto publlely announced that they would not allow any agent of their ' s "
farther to communicate with the men , because they bad fully satisfied their minds on the subject ; " that is , as tbe undersigned supposed , that tbe charges against Allen were false ; which reason , if true , was sufficient at' least for them . They have now destroyed this reason . It now appears , that so fa * from being " satisfied , " except of the truth of the charges , the moment a wrong date is mentioned , or aa error ia naming the different departments of their establishment ia committed , which may aetro as a peg en which to bang a general denial , they are again in the field by their agents , eager not to let such an opportunity pass without taking Advantage of it ; clingisg with convulsive tenacity to the hope , that these mistakes , which make not tbe slightest difference te the main charges , may implicate the whole .
7 . As the letter of Patrick Wbeelan has nothing to do with T . Hickey , the undersigned do net feel called upon to make any remark upon it , further than to state that they are glad to find , if true , there appears to be one instance in which Gfrissell aad Peto behaved wall to those injured in their employ . They can only say that it contrasts well with their treatment of T . Hickey ; for while his friends of his own class collected what their scanty means would allow for Dim , while in the hospital , Messra . Qfisaell and Peto rendered him ne assistance whatever . The undersigned , with regret , are compelled to state , that it appears to have been quite an unusual thing for Grissell and Peto to render any assistance to those injured ia their employ . We give two instances , out of many that might be adduced : —•
Tkomas Wade fell with tbe dam when ifc gave way during the summer , and was most sererely injured . Messrs . Qrissell and Peto sent to him , while in the hospital , to say that neither he nor hit family should want for anything . They , however , gave him nothing , but stopped his time up to the very balf hour of the accident He got £ l from the box kept on the works to receive charitable donations ; but thin he did not receive untu after he bad recovered and been at work some time , and then not until dissatisfaction bad been expressed by the men to Allen at his not having given him a portion of the money from tbe donation-box . He was supported while in the hospital by a voluntary subscription among the men , amounting to £ 6 3 s . Watson Ellis , by an accident last winter , bad his arm broken , by which he was unable to work fourteen weeks . He received nothing from Messrs . Qrissell and Petonothing out of the box .
Mr . Baker appears not to be content with " perfectly well recollecting" upon oath the return of Hickey to his work , upon which the undersigned have before remarked , but he volunteers an affidavit to the truth of an opinion I He swears , or was ready to swear , that in bis opinion George Allen was justified in discharging T . Hickey ! The undersigned have no doubt but that here , at least , he might safely be believed > but they would remind bim that an affidavit is not the way to prove the truth of an opinion . The truth of an opinion can only be proved by substantial reasons , which reasons must be supported by facts . It would have been to the purpose if he had stated the reasons and facts which supported his opinion ; bat for bim to make oath to its truth implies most surely that be knew his reasons and his facts would not bear investigation , and that therefore he substituted his oath in their stead , giving the singular , and withal ludicrens , instance of a man making his testimony valueless by the very act of swearing to its truth .
From the whole , it appears that T . Hickey has made two mistakes , first , in believing the accident to have happened on the 13 th of February , while it happened on the 25 th ; and second , in confounding the timekeeper with the pay-clerk ; a fact which invalidates nothing in bis statement concerning Allen , and , in the position of one discharged , Instanter , from the works , very easily made . In all the rest the undersigned believe him to have been perfectly correct It appears to the undersigned that the statements tendered upon oath by Wardle and Baker were , by implicating the correcting of dates , and by pointing out the mistake above referred to , intended to throw a doubt over the whole statement ot Hickey ; a statement which , ia the opinion of the undersigned , these deponent * were
unable to disbelieve ; which inability also appears to have been shared in by the exuberantly grateful Patrick Wheelan . Wardle swears concerning himself to what did not happen in his presence—and here he is careful net to mention his friend George Allen—aad to dates . Baker to dates and to the truth of an opinion 1 But neither hint their disbelief of Allen ' s language , or his cruelty , as specifically detailed by Hiekey . Patrick Wheelan , though overflowing with gratitude , does not even mention Allen , nor bint , directly or indirectly , the existence of such a person . Although he is brought forward by Allen himself , expressly to confirm bis previous statement that he obtained his place to " tally bricks , "because he " recommended his application to Messrs . Grisaell and Peto for a lighter berth . " It ia not always fair to argue from omissions ; but here , where the wanting testimony Is so necessary , and is what
would so instantly suggest itself , the undersigned canmot but consider its omission as evidence that the cruelty and language of tbe man who was so notorious that it became a thing of which it was impossible , even fur his friends , to express th « ir disbelief . The nadenigned , in giving tbe result ef their investigation , beg to aey that they have endeavoured most sedulously te discover the troth . They also have endeaveuned ' to express theii opinions with calmness iney now leave it to the public to jndge bow far Allen baa been successful in clearing himself from the charges of o « elty and swearing , and how far Mr . Waniltt , the pay-clerk , ana Mr . Baker , the deputy foreman , have been raccesBfil in defending their friend w * orge Allen . Thos . Joseph Dcnnisq , Bookbinder . John Bakes , Plasterer .
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GREAT CHARTIST MEETING AT SELBY . The inhabitants of this place were gratified by ft visit from Mr . O'Connor , and a few other excellent Chartist friends , on Friday , the 3 rd of December . A few days previous t « the notice of Mr . O'Connor ' s Intention of visiting Selby , oar good Chartist friends were in considerable perplexity as to whether they would be able to obtain » place sufficiently large to hold their meeting in , but were at length relieved fey the promptness and generosity of Mr . John Llnton , who , resolving upon giving the noWe champion of Chartism a reception worthy of his seal and usefulness in tbe people ' * cause , made immediate application to the trustees of tbe large room , situate ia New Road ,- bnt the bigotry of these politically orthodox gentleaen refused to allow the use of the building fox "the wild and mad hair-brained" purposes of Chartism , ~
Mr . Linton , however , was not the man to submit to » defeat after Having once settled upon his purpose . He set to work , » nd bad bis large bailding , which ii appropriated to the purposes of boiler and steam engine making , cleared to the middle . To eSeot this , everal large boilers , and a large quantity . of iron and metal , had to be removed at much laboar and expenee . Thia was done on Thursday , and on Friday morning a spacious , dry , and comfortable arena presented itself capable of holding upwards of 2 , 400 people . A plat * form was erected at one end , aad the splendid banners of tbe Association spread their wide folds over the canvas behind , whloh formed tbe partition of the temporary room . Tbe place was well lighted , and everything was in readiness several boon before tbe time arrived for the meeting to commence . Tbe friends were all in the greatest possible good spirits , anticipated disappointment having succeeded to complete triumph over tbe machinations and bigotry of tbeir enemies .
Precisely at half-past seven oclock Mr . Linton was appointed to fill the chair for the evening , which be did in a very efficient manner . After briefly addressing the large assembly on the pleasure they were about to derive from listening to a development of the great principles of the Charter from the mouth of the muchperseouted bat their much loved patriot himself ; be begged to commence the proceedings of tbe evening by introducing Mr . Stallwood , the East Biding lecturer . Mr . Stallwood in rising to address tbe meeting , stated that he had a resolution in bis band which be intended to propose to the meeting , but as it related to the document called tbe National Petition , be would first proceed to read it , and then submit the resolution . Mr . 8 . then read the National Petition , which appeared
to have a powerful effect upon the meeting . After which he proceeded to explain the principles of the People ' s Charter , going through each particular with considerable fluency , and frequently eliciting great applause . His arguments were sound and conclusive . Tbe objections to the term universal , as applied to the Suffrage , fell to tbe ground , as it was only in accordance with the definition given in all ages by all tbe greatest of men wbo bad ever thought and wrote on tbe subject In Ireland , Scotland , England , or Wales , Vote by Ballot was its safeguard—Annual Parliaments necessary , as short reckonings make long friends , and twelve months is long enough to have a bad servant , while it was not a bit too early to compliment an honest and upright friend of the people by his re-electionthat unless the parliaments were annual , an individual who being within a few weeks of twenty-one years old would have to wait until he were twenty-four yean old
before he could obtain the right of voting ; the present property qualification put all the brains in tbe pocket and none in tbe head . Equal electoral districts ware necessary , because men being represented Instead of property , the numbers must , to be fairly distributed , be equally represented ; and lastly , the members must be paid directly , or they would pay themselves indirectly He ( Mr . S . ) considered these principles were just aud constitutional as they were the practices of former ages ; and , rapidly running over tbeir history , dropping in bis course the never-to-be-forgotten story of Andrew Marvel , the famed representative of Hull ; and , in proof of the practicability of the whole scheme , reference was made to the practise of benefit societies , clubs , the American * , &c winding up by evidence in favour of the intelligence of the working classes—the producers of the best works of science , art , and philosophy ; that no men were bom slaves , nor were any born booted and spurred , —for as Southey has it ,
" Ye are all equal , and nature made ye so . " At this stage of tbe proceedings Mr . O'Connor entered the building . AH were on the tiptoe ; and not less than 16 * t people were breathlessly anxious to behold the lion ot the evening — another minute and he ascended the platform , amid the most deafening . and tremendous cheering , which lasted for several minutes . After order was restored Mr . Stallwood proceeded to read his resolution , which was as follows : — Resolved— " That we , the inhabitants of Selby , and its vicinity , in publio meeting assembled , do hereby adopt the petition just read , called the National Petition —praying for universal suffrage , vote by ballot , annual parliaments , equal representation , tbe abolition of the property qualification , and tbe payment of membersthat we also pledge ourselves individually and collectively to get the aame as numerously signed as possible , and forwarded to tbe proper quarter for presentation . "
Seconded by Mr . Richardson , and carried unanimously Mr . Sotherbt next , moved a resolution , congratulatory and complimentary of Mr . O'Connor , which was seconded by Mr . Watson , and supported by Mr . West , the West Riding lecturer , who accompanied Mr . O'Connor from Dewsbury to Selby . Mr . West said—I shall leave tbe present resolution to be dealt with by Mr . O'Connor , and observe that you must do more than bold up your bands for tbe National Petition ; you must enrol yourselves as members ot the Association—you must support the Convention with all your might That petition is a subject ' of vast importance ; it shows the rights and the wrongs of the millions , and contrasts the condition ot the represented and unrepresented ; and it will have , if numerously
signed , a powerful effect upon the House of Commons ; it may enlighten them on the subject—on our progress , and determination to establish tbe Charter as the law of the land . What is there among tbe rich , the great , the titled , the enfranchised , more than among ourselves , that God bas conferred ? They say we have no right to interrupt them , but we have a right to express our opinion . Our principles are not exclusive ; we would do tO all alike—they will not—their ' s is tyranny—but this shall fall before onr righteous demand for freedom . The working people axe like the foundation of a building , without which the walls and the roof must give way , and become & beap of rains . It is distress and poverty that breeds discontent , and hunger will break through atone walls . We are striving to put
down discontent by removing poverty ; they would increase it ; they are disturbers . Do they think to allay the hatred to oppression by their bit by bit Reforms ? Nay , the change must be Radical—the axe must be laid at the root of the tree—the political weeds must be torn completely up , and wherefore , then , should we labour to destroy effects when the causes are l « ft untouched . Tbe people wish to have full possession of tbeir rights—they want the privilege of earning a pound—ef putting it into tbe pocket , for their ewn use ; but the state comes , and demands its sharethe Church comes for another—tbe profitmonger wants bis , and thus they rob without consent , and the bardworking man who bas been able to earn a pound in the week , finds he has only 3 s . 6 d . left It is well that you
should labour , but it is right also that you should enjoy its fruits youtselves rather than by proxy . Mr . W . here related a well-timed story of a cobbler , with a large family , who was visited by a Bishop , after considerable cheering be pathetically remarked that hundreds of thousands were starving and dying for want of food to eat , and that tbe same distress was following bard upon all—they care not ; they fear not , but it will come . The privileged classes will always keep up their distinctions if possible ; and nothing but extending our privileges to Univrrsal Suffrage can be productive of true freedom . Let this petition then be attended to . The resolution was then put and carried unanimously ; after which the Chairman called upon Mr . O'Connor to address the meeting , who , immediately
rose aimd thunders of applause , and said it gave bim great pleasure to kiow that although they ( the Chartists ) bad been driven from the pub ! ic ; room byjthe littlemindness of their political opponents , he bad not to address them in the cold open air . There is one amongst you , who , said Mr . O'C , your worthy Chairman , regardless of all risks has the manliness to step between prejudice aad principle , and generously provide you a place to meet in . I have not now to preach the A B C of politics to you ; my excellent friend , Leach , and others have been here . I begin at the middle . We nave arrived at a position which is worth considering .. We have new the privilege of the attention of all classes . When I consider our position a few years ago , and compare it with tbe present , it more
than repays me for all ray labour aud suffering . I count all these things as nothing in our present triumphs and future prospects . But there is still more to do . One of the resolutions which you have adopted this evening , has reference to the National Petition- ( Hear , bear . ) Some have said , and I have sal ¦} , it waa useless to petition a House that bas always been deaf to tbe complaints of tbe people ; but , let us consider whether now we are justified in acting thus . You once bad no organ where the insterests of the miuaea were allowed to be canvassed , but it is not so now ; and it is therefore impossible to treat us as an insignificant body or keep our principles disguised Our influence is felt in tbe country , and must be felt and appreciated in the House . In 1839 , When tbe law officers of the Crown pounced upon us , and having immolated 500 of our leaders in their dungeons .
Plain John Campbell boasted that he bad put down Chartism ; but thanks be to God , we are not put down , rather , inthe very ^ it dug for our destru ction , have we buried the putrid carcase of Whiggery ; and if our petition of 2 , 000 , 000 , along with our otbsr efforts , bate bad such a powerful effect , shall we cease now , when they are talking of reaction ? our only alternative is that of petitioning to show our strength , and then tbe heaven-born minister must be compelled to speak cf the many-tongued people . It will ensure us the influence of the best leaders of the House ; and by this pressure from without , for the ant time , they will abandon their own principles , and lend some attention to legislate for owe . This pressure from without is necessary , as there never was any great organic change forced upon them without it We have shown by our power materials by which tfiey
Untitled Article
can manufacture laws ; but we must improve anon what we have done . Improvements are progressing to an unaccountable extent while the working man ' s c ondl tion is getting worse and warn , would it not be better that chaos should exist than Uut this state of tbian should continue . The natural labourer is impoverished while artlfical labour supplies every demand and reapt the benefit . If you will not return to first principles , legislation is unnecessary . And we hare this state of things after ten years of reform , after preachlnc for forty-one years . Aud now behold tbe finality of Whig reform—ninety-one majority . What is it after all that Whig reform hat done I flrit , robbed tbe poor of tbeir rights , and then established a rural police to keep them down . If those who oppress yon were it
safferen bj , then might we have hope . T « e daiii bnlletein of health of the Dowager Queen wittTher £ 100 , 000 a year are issued , but it chance was to relieva you , if all warb to die of political apolexy * the Chan cellor of the Exchequer would create a new slock of yoaaj state paupers the day after to an thdr place * ( Cheers . ) But to get out of our present dilemma we are told . me must emigrate , or we must repeal the Com Laws . We will repeal the Corn Laws but it shall be for the general and not for sectional good . Mr O'Connor here ran rapidly over the extravaaees at royalty , and the sums paid to state paupers and bastards , and in other extravagancies , placing all the * to . one side of the ledger , and the Exchequer out at the elbows on the other . And with these things ( said Mr . O'Connor ) they
tell us that population presses too hardly upon the means of subsistence , but if equitably distributed it would not be so . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) would gladly see a cargo of bishops emigrating ,, and he would give Phil pots for a pilot , for why should tbe labourer be called upon to give up bis native land t the labourer who sees tbe work of his band upon its surface , why should be leave it ? No , no ; let him remain at home , get power , and make home worth living in . The system . has driven yen off the land , the stamp of the meueymongsz is upon your face , and while the shopkeeper has been looking ont fer bis market he has . lost it It will be useless to say the Exchequer is empty , for they will sell the shopkeepers' property for tbe revenue . Mr . O'Connor then gave an account of tbe advantages
resulting to tbe Tory Exchequer while in office , as compared to its state when out of office , tracing Its effects upon their conduct , as evidenced is tbe struggle for class legisla tion . He next pointed out tbe amount of land that . needed cultivation , and in an elaborate manner shewed tbe advantage of keeping all ia employment , to prevent masters from taking advantage of the superabundance of labourers , by lowering the wages of the rest To correct this ( said Mr . O'C . ) man must return to a nor * natural state of society . I f four millions quarters of com be all that , the Corn Law repealers want extra , we «* n create it ourselves . To the land , then , and we can controul both the raw and the manufactured m toWM , Make
every man his own producer . See what a position your fathers were in , before the factories were brought into existence ; tbe master lived with bis men , and tbe nun bad something for a rainy day , and then drunkenness was looked upon as a crime . If the roastsr wanted a larger supply than usual , be said , "Here , my good fellow , is 2 s . 6 d . ; get it done by Saturday night' * No factory cruelty then—no quartering for being late . Then yon had ne class legislation , and we were the envy of surrounding nations : then every man was one of the civil power ; since then we bave a got police armed force . It would be impossible to follow Mr . O'Connor through the whole of bis delightfully interesting speech . His powerful eloquence elicited tbe most ' tremendous cheer *
Selby never before saw such a meeting in doors for political purposes , and the people will never forget the joy . of the occasion . After Mr . O'Connor sat dOWB and the cheering had subsided a collection vow made towards defraying the expenses of the placards calling the meeting . Fourteen fresh member * enrolled their names , making the total number of Chartists who have received tickets 114 . . After tbe usual cheers and a vote of thanks tethe . Chairman , the meeting broke up at a late hour .
Untitled Article
SCANDALOUS TREATMENT OF THE POOR . It is hardly possible to conceive a place more wretched In appearance , and destitute of comfort and accommo dation , than an apartment called the " Refuge , " within the precincts of the We » t London Union Workhouse . In this so called place of " Refuge , " ( Heaven save the mark 1 } the poor are treated as though they wore bogs , so far , at least , as the Bleeping part of the business is concerned ; but as regards the eating and drinking that is another matter . While the hogs are plentifully provided with food , the miserable creatures who apply at the West Union for shelter receive , at this inclement season , but a scanty Supply of bread and a little water But we will come to facts . Ob Monday an inquest was held by Mr . Paine , at the West London Union Workhouse . West street , West Smithfield , to investigate
the circumstances attending the death of William Parker , aged fifty-two , wbo died in tbat workhouse on Friday morning . It appeared from tbe evidence of Joseph Standen , gate-keeper at tbe house , that deceased bad applied for shelter feur times within a fortnight , am ) bad oa each occasion been admitted and supplied with a rug to cover him and bread in the morning when he left , in common with a great many others . The applications for shelter for the night were very numerous . NotbiDg was given them to eat when they were taken in , but they had bread in the morning . They lay on boards placed in a slanting direction , and each was supplied with a rug for covering . Sometimes they lay two er three together to keep themselves warm . It was usual to see if they were covered , and Inquire if they wanted water ,
James Greig , assistant gate-keeper , said that deceased was admitted about eight o ' clock on Thursday evening last , and went into the Refuge with some others . Witness did not see him again till tbe next morning , when he went to ask the deceased why be did not some for bis bread , but receiving no answer , be concluded he was ill , and acquainted the previous witness , who immediately sent for a doctor . Mr . Kinsey came in ia about ten minutes . Deceased was removed to tbe probationary ward , and the surgeon ordered a little brandy and water to be given him , but before it could be ad * ministered he expired . By a Juror— " Tbe place is very cold , the windows ail broken , ana partially boarded up . There have been as many as fifty persons in tbe Refuge at one time , and on these occasions they were obliged to stand up very close together . The rain sometimes came in . "
Michael young , who has tbe care of the probationary ward , said tbat deceased when undressed , was found to be covered with vermin . His clothes bespoke A superior condition . Dr . Rae ,. enrgeon to tbe workhouse , stated that water on the chest might account for the suddenness of his death ; bat there was no doubt it had beea accelerated by want of food . The Refuge certainly was a ~ very cold place , but the guardians would not improve it The windows were destroyed by persons who reaped the benefit of its shelter . Mr . Burchfleld , one of the guardians , said the board were tired of repairing the place . The windows were all broken by persons taken in . He would , however , suggest to the guardians the pr priety of improving the place , and also of supplying mattresses . He bad no doubt his suggestion would be attended to .
The Coroner s vid that it did not appear tbat the emcera of the establishment were at all neglectful . Tbe accommodation afforded there to persons who bad no home was certainly better than being exposed to the inclemency of the weather . It was ft lamentable fact that many persons slept in the pens in Smithfield nightly . Tbe subject of relief to the poor would come under tbe consideration of Parliament in the next session , and be hoped that such alterations would then be made as would alleviate the sufferings of the distressed , whose claims were so numerous and urgent The jury would bear in mind the evidence , and give suca a verdict as their judgment suggested . Tbe Jury , after a consultation of a quarter of an hour , returned a verdict of "Died from natural causes . "
Whoever heard of such management , unless it has been dictated by a hardhearted tyrant ? If the Guardians of this infernal bastile possessed a particle of feeling—if they had tbe slightest amount of sympathy running ia the current of their composition , they would denounce such a brutal order , and direct the subordinate officials to provide wholesome food for those who ask to become Inmates of the ' Refuge , " immediately they cross its threshold , and not permit a number of starving human beings to lie for boars , huddled together in a state of positive bunger . The Coroner said , it did not appear that tbe Guardians had beea neglectful . Now , with all due respect for tbe keen perception of the worthy Coroner , we maintain that there has been gross neglect shown ; as a proof of which , Mr . Burchfleld observed , that " he would sorest tbe repair ot the place to tbe Guardians , and ne bad ao doubt bis suggestion would be attended to . "
What is this but aa admission , that the Guardian never go near the place at all f It is hardly possible to conceive any thing more cruel or barbarous than to terust a destitute saan into a place , affording by far teas accommodation than tbe meanest stable , locking him up without food , and , ia the morning , taming him adrift with a piece of dry bread in bis hand . This is part and parcel of the new-fangled scheme of throwing tbe poor on their own resources , at a time when the Legislature deaies them bread . Merciful God I unless
something be dona te arouse the apathy , we were going tosay , the stupidity of the collective wisdom—unless a law be passed to swore to the poor and destitute proper relief , to wbicb . they are justly entitled—and to wrest from the Somerset House Bashaws , tbe working of tbe Poor Law Bill , —we fear the eomntry will ahertlybe convulsed from one end to the ether , until its tones bespeak too plainly that something must be done to meet the case . It is impossible to remain , much longer « nd « r each a state of legislation with any security . * l *^ 'V . * i ^ ftftnnn . . ^^ fcfc - « -
Untitled Article
Thb baptisk of tho infant Prince is not expected to take place until February , immediately after Parliament assembles . The ceremony will be performed in town . —Morning Pott . Exchequer Biu , Pbaod . —The trial of Mr . Beaumont Smith , for the Exchequer Bill fraud , came to an abrupt conclusion on Saturday morning . Bf pleading kl Guilty , " the delinquent prevented those disQioswes which were looked for with so much interest . He waa sentenced to transportation for life .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 11, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct732/page/6/
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